What is minimal access and bariatric surgery?

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Division Contact Information
Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery
Bariatric (Obesity) Surgery

John W. Cromwell, MD
Division Director

Division Contact Information

General Patient Questions (Clinic Desk)
(319) 356-4901

Gastrointestinal Surgery Appointments
(319) 356-4061

Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery

The gastrointestinal surgery section is an integral part of the James A. Clifton Digestive Health Center, a multidisciplinary association of the specialties of gastrointestinal surgery, adult and pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric surgery, radiology, and pathology. The section includes specialists with expertise in the areas of:

esophagogastric
pancreaticobiliary
colorectal surgery
bariatric surgery

The goal of this center is to improve both the quality and efficiency of care to patients with digestive diseases. This multidisciplinary center is composed of a diagnostic and therapeutic unit and a procedure unit, outpatient clinic, office facility and inpatient unit. This unit facilitates efficient consultation between Internal Medicine and Surgery and improves the ability to perform clinical research. It includes specialists with expertise in the areas of esophagogastric, pancreaticobiliary, colorectal and bariatric surgery who work together to advance the art and science of surgery

Gastrointestinal Surgery (Minimally Invasive) Clinic

Bariatric (Obesity) Surgery

The University of Iowa is the birthplace of obesity surgery. Dr. Edward Mason — the “Father of Bariatric Surgery”— conceived and performed the first weight loss procedure at the University of Iowa in 1965.

Today’s Bariatric Surgery team achieved the coveted National Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa Blue Distinction Center+ for Bariatric Surgery.

The program has also been designated an Accredited Bariatric Surgery Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

Our team specializes in:

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (LRYGB)
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG)
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB)
Laparoscopic revisions of failed weight loss surgical procedures

Our compassionate, interdisciplinary care team includes a full complement of highly skilled surgeons, physician extenders, nutritionists, and support groups committed to comprehensive care and to maximizing the long-term health and success of each patient.

In caring for our patients, we harness the latest technologies, such as NOTES, a scar-less surgery that is used for the removal of the gallbladder and appendix. The procedure involves passing surgical instruments and a tiny camera through a natural orifice, such as the stomach or the vagina, to perform surgery. By avoiding major incisions through the skin, muscle, and nerves of the abdomen, patients recover more quickly, experience less pain, and have no visible scars on their abdomen while the risk of postoperative complications, such as wound infections and hernias, is significantly reduced.

Our minimally invasive bariatric surgical procedures include:

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, in which a small stomach pouch is created to restrict food intake. A Y-shaped section of the small intestine is then attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine), and the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This reduces the calories and nutrients the body absorbs.
LAP-Band® surgery, in which a band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch to hold food. The band limits the amount of food one can eat by making the patient feel full after eating small amounts of food.
Sleeve Gastrectomy, which involves removing about 85% of the stomach. The remaining portion of the stomach is stapled closed, creating a thin, vertical sleeve of stomach. The smaller-sized stomach holds less food, creating a feeling of fullness with significantly less food.

Our surgeons are experts in revision, or “re-do” surgeries, and teach physicians around the country minimally invasive bariatric procedures. Along with our nursing staff, they are committed to providing safe and compassionate care. We also collaborate with primary care providers and other specialists to optimize our patients’ health and provide them with a comprehensive network for all of their care.

Each year, tens of millions of Americans struggle with medical complications due to unhealthy body weight. If you are dealing with persistent weight troubles you can’t seem to keep under control, surgery may be the next logical step. At Lee Bariatrics, our Denton and Prosper, Texas, surgical team proudly performs a number of weight loss surgical procedures for patients across the region. Led by Dr. Michael Lee, resident surgeon and bariatric surgery expert, we pride ourselves on exceptional results and attentive patient care with all bariatric weight loss surgeries we perform. Committed to staying on the cutting edge of procedural developments and technological advancements in the field, we are pleased to announce that virtually all of the bariatric weight loss surgeries we offer are classified as minimally invasive — which means they are not as harsh on the body, are easier to recover from, and pose less risk overall. Learn more about the minimally invasive bariatric surgeries offered at Lee Bariatrics below, and contact our office at 1-877-421-8183 today.

What is minimally invasive bariatric surgery?

Minimally invasive bariatric surgery is a type of surgery performed on the stomach or intestines to reduce food consumption or speed up digestion to combat weight gain. Unlike traditional bariatric surgery, which is a type of “open” surgery requiring large incisions, minimally invasive bariatric surgery is classified as a laparoscopic surgery. This means that minimally invasive bariatric surgery uses a small fiber optic tube (laparoscope) connected to a video camera and inserted through small incisions to complete procedures. This may lead to a faster recovery time, less scarring, and less shock to the body overall.

Minimally invasive bariatric weight loss surgeries at Lee Bariatrics

At Lee Bariatrics, we are proud to offer a number of bariatric surgical procedures using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques. Many conditions can be treated through minimally invasive surgery using small incisions and tools. These procedures can decrease the risk of bodily harm in addition to shortening surgery and recovery time and reduce scarring.

The term “minimally invasive surgery” is used to describe surgical procedures that use small incisions instead of larger openings. These incisions are typically only a few millimeters in length and a small camera and light are passed through to view the area of interest. Specialized instruments are then used to perform the procedure. You can find information and links to each of our minimally invasive weight loss surgeries below.

Sleeve gastrectomy: This surgery is performed by removing approximately 80% of the stomach to reduce food intake. The remaining stomach is a tubular pouch (or “sleeve”) that resembles a banana.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: This surgery creates a path from the top of the stomach to the end of the small intestine — thus “bypassing” a large portion of both organs and streamlining digestion.
Adjustable gastric banding: This surgery involves placing an inflatable band around the upper section of the stomach. This has been shown to create a feeling of fullness relatively quickly in most patients.
Duodenal switch: Duodenal switch surgery removes part of the stomach to create a tube that then bypasses most of the small intestine to connect at its end. As much as 85% of excess weight can be lost through successful duodenal switch surgery.
Revisional bariatric surgery: Several of the above bariatric surgeries can often be reversed to a great extent using laparoscopic techniques.

More information on the following minimally invasive bariatric weight loss surgeries can be found on our website:

Paraesophageal hiatal hernia
Nissen fundoplication
Linx procedure
EGD/Upper endoscopy
TNE/Transnasal endoscopy
Endoscopic pouch reduction

Dr. Michael Lee is a board-certified surgeon and specialist in minimally invasive bariatric surgery. Our team combined has decades of experience and provides the utmost care and attentiveness during your procedure. We are also committed to providing our patients unparalleled results and unwavering care when it comes to minimally invasive surgery.

Interested in learning more about weight loss surgery and the minimally invasive bariatric procedures offered at Lee Bariatrics? Contact our Denton or Prosper office at 1-877-421-8183.